Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Open yourself to spiritual mystery through images

"Here is how I see the imagination playing a central role in the
spiritual life. Human beings have a natural pull deep into actual life
with all its complexity and challenges. It’s wonderful — I call it soul.
But we also have an instinct to explore and taste the mystery of it all
and the highest, most ideal and sublime values. That is the spirit. But
that mystery can’t be defined or placed in a test tube. We approach it
through images that bring us close and give us good hints about the
elusive element we’re searching for. The imagination — all those stories
and parables and rituals — serves the spirit and gives image to the unnameable. To worship the image or confuse it with facts is to miss the
very point of spiritual expression."

Moore recommends, "There is a great deal to learn about the imagination, and the best way
to begin might be to read one of the sacred stories, as story, and open
yourself to the mysterious state of mind in which the story places you.
Steep in it, live with it, talk about it, make it one of your own."

Why Barque: Thomas Moore?

"What I'm trying to do is say lighten up and let life flow through you, and be on the waves as they go up and down. For me, a great image in mythology is
Tristan of Tristan and Isolde. He's out there on a little boat without an oar, without a rudder, on the Irish sea . . . You float your way. You drift. The essence
of my approach is to be extravagantly accepting and forgiving of yourself and others. Ride the waves and let life take you where it has good things for you." - Thomas Moore